I'm 11 days post op and my implants are too big. When is the best time to downsize? (Photo)

There is a well known syndrome called the "Booby Blues" that occurs early after a breast augmentation.  Very often, patients think that breasts are too small or too big.  The cause of this post operative depression is multi-factorial.  One factor is a fluid shift after surgery, and especially after a redo surgery requiring more tissue damage than seen in a primary augmentation.  This fluid shift is out of the blood stream into the tissue, and is known as third spacing.  This is the swelling one sees after a twisted ankle.  When this fluid re-enters the  bloodstream which occurs in the first couple weeks after surgery, it is pure water and no electrolytes, which leads to a dilution of one's normal electrolytes.  Many people experience this electrolyte dilution as depression.Since the size of one's implants, and therefore the resulting breast size, is truly the biggest question mark in any breast augmentation, of course many individuals suffering from the Booby Blues hashtag it #size too big or #size too small.  This chemical depression will pass.  All the mumbo jumbo above means that you are going through a very normal post-operative state which will pass.  Give yourself and your plastic surgeon a break.  Take a deep breath and remember your feelings are normal for this stage of recovery from a redo breast augmentation.  As all the other RealSelf plastic surgery experts have stated, things will improve significantly over the next couple of months.  

Breast
augmentation is often performed to replace volume lost from weight loss,
breast-feeding, or age or to increase the size of the breast for aesthetic
reasons. The size, shape, and position of these implants are often based on the
patient’s anatomy, the type and size of the implant, patient preference, and the goals of surgery. 

After surgery, the breasts swell
from the trauma of surgery and the tissues become edematous. As the swelling
subsides and the tissues begin to stretch from the weight of implants, the
breasts begin to settle. Over the next few months, as the edema finally escapes
and the soft tissues relax, the final shape becomes evident.



It
will take 3 to 6 months to see a final result. Close follow-up with the surgeon
is essential. Assuming there is no emergent issue, patients should allow at
least 3 months for the swelling to resolve and the tissues to soften before
contemplating any changes. At that point, a detailed exam and a frank
discussion with the surgeon will help delineate the best treatment option.

Hang in there! As long as the shape and feel are improving week to week, however slowly, there is still hope for the final outcome. Ask you plastic surgeon if there are any compression garments, stretches or massaging exercises that can help speed your recovery.